Tub scrub/scrubber

ABSTRACT

There are several reasons this invention is new and different. It will be manufactured with a lightweight plastic tubular handle that is about 3-3½ feet long, which will aid in the convenience and physical need of not having to bend over the bathtub for cleaning. This can also make other jobs such as washing a car, boat etc. easier by the use of detachable brushes, sponges or chamois.  
     Because it is battery operated, the circular movement of the sponge, brush or chamois together with a good cleanser aids in the cleaning action.  
     The plastic or plastic and aluminum combination handle is lightweight. The rubber grip makes it easier to hold and the nylon cord at the end is convenient for storage.

[0001] A long or extended handled, battery operated tub scrubber that turns a circular disk on which a sponge, chamois or brush is attached. This will turn in a circular motion for cleaning. It also may be powered by a Micro D.C. Servo Motor. Margaret. Brenda Lies Provisional Application # 60/346,773 U.S.A. Citizen Date Filed: Jan. 8, 2002 Chesapeake House on the Bay 3558 Shore Drive, #703 Virginia Beach, VA 23455

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of endeavor is to use advanced technology to invent a product that makes cleaning a bathtub an easy job for everyone, especially senior citizens.

[0003] The invention's main objective was to solve three (3) problems; to produce a long handled tub scrubber so one does not have to bend over to clean the bathtub, is battery operated, and the circular movement of sponge, brush or chamois helps in cleaning without hand or hard scrubbing.

[0004] The tub scrubber product invention is a battery-operated scrubber. It has a long handle about 3 feet to 3½ feet long. It is made of tubular plastic or combination of plastic and aluminum. It will be manufactured in individual sizes of about 3 or 3½ feet or made to extend from 1 foot to 3 or 3½ feet.

[0005] The focus is on the bathtub but this product can also be used on a boat, car, sink shower etc.

[0006] The tub scrubber, with the use of a good cleaning solution and the circular turning of the sponge, brush or chamois minimizes the need for manual or hard scrubbing,

[0007] The detachable heads using circular attached sponge etc. will be packaged separately.

[0008] The head is about 12 inches in circumference, and will turn by a gear rotated Micro Servo D.C. Motor.

[0009] A possible universal joint with snap on pivotal movement may be used for leeway to position the head for the circular movement of the sponge, chamois or brush. The D.C. Servo Micro Motor placement will be in the head or handle compartment depending on which is most economical and durable . . .

[0010] The batteries, Nycad or C Cell, will be placed in or on handle whichever is best for accessibility. Six (6) C cell batteries will last for approximately 26 hours of use time. The Nycad battery (rechargeable with recharge) will last for about 1 year with approximately 1 hour of use time before recharging.

[0011] The plastic tubing or plastic and aluminum combination tubular handle will be about 1 foot, 3 feet and 3½ feet individually or from 1 foot to 3½ feet by extension.

[0012] The exterior of handle will be screen printed on handle or will use a sticker label.

[0013] Two different types of head attachments may be used. One where a molded piece of hook fastener would be at the end of the tub scrubber and the loop fastener would have the laminated sponge, chamois or brush attached and could attach and detach.

[0014] The other method is the sponge, chamois or brush would be laminated to a circular plastic mold that either clips or screws to the handle base.

[0015] The most durable, efficient and cost effective way will dictate the method.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As has been stated, the objective of the tub scrubber was to invent and design an attractive product that supplies a utility solution to a needed product invention.

[0017] This is a much-needed product for the general public but also with emphasis on seniors and special, challenged individuals. It is back-breaking to clean a bathtub—this is the proposed solution.

[0018] To achieve the best product the three main objectives are:

[0019] 1. The length of the tub scrubber product was designed so that one does not have to bend over to clean the bathtub.

[0020] 2. The use of a Micro Servo D.C. Motor with gear rotation that will turn the head with sponge, brush or chamois attachments.

[0021] The batteries will help with convenience by using either 6 C Cell batteries or a Nycad re-chargeable battery.

[0022] 3. The detachable heads for different cleaning jobs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS TUB SCRUB/SCRUBBER Terminator Tub Scrub is the Intended Trademark Name

[0023] A long or extended handle tub scrubber, battery operated with detachable sponge, brush or chamois heads.

[0024] 1. Detachable heads, sponge, brush or chamois.

[0025] 2. Universal joint heads pivot to other cleaning positions

[0026] 3. D.C. Micro Servo Motor

[0027] 4. Batteries—either Nycad rechargeable or 6 C Cell batteries

[0028] 5. Rubber grip comfort handle

[0029] 6. Nylon cord for hanging to store

[0030] 7. 42 inch (3½ feet) continuous plastic or aluminum and plastic combination handle

[0031] 8. The handle is made to extend from 18 inches (1½ Feet) to 36 or 42 inches (3 or 3½ feet.

[0032] 9. Momentary on/off switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Material

[0034] The product invention is made of plastic tubing with possible aluminum plastic combination for some of the handles. This will vary in length with individual handles or by making a handle that extends from 1 foot to 3 or 3½ feet.

[0035] Motor

[0036] Micro Servo D.C. Motor with gear rotation (small motor that will fit in hand or head of scrubber).

[0037] Head

[0038] A round plastic molded disk about 12 inches in circumference, possibly using two different methods of attaching and detaching the different heads.

[0039] 1. Using a molded hook fastener that attaches by clip or screw to stationery head.

[0040] 2. Laminate or attach the head to a loop fastener, which would attach or detach from the stationery molded hook disk.

[0041] Handle

[0042] The handle will be of round tubing in plastic or a plastic and aluminum combination. The lengths will be approximately 1 foot, 3 feet or 3½ feet individually, or will be a handle made to extend from 1 foot to 3 or 3½ feet in length. A rubber grip will also be on handle to keep it from slipping and a nylon cord may be attached to the end for hang-up storage.

[0043] Accessories

[0044] Accessories will be packaged separately, probably three to a package—3 sponges, 3 brushes or 3 chamois. This will be both durable and convenient. 

What I claim as my own invention is:
 1. I claim that the long or extended handled battery operated tub scrubber product is my idea and invention. I conceived of this idea while cleaning the bathtub, which is a backbreaking job. I also thought this job would be even easier if the handle had detachable heads such as a sponge, brush or chamois, which would turn in a circular motion and would make the tub cleaning etc. much easier. The detachable heads would turn in a circular motion by battery power. A Nycad Battery with recharger, or approximately 6 C cell batteries could be used effectively. It took an enormous amount of research to find the appropriate D.C. Micro Servo Motor, and additional research to find how to make the tub scrubber battery operated. Two different methods, as described, can be used.
 1. 6 C Cell batteries will give about 26 hours of use time.
 2. A Nycad battery is good for 1 year with 1 hour of use time before re-charging. Not only does the long or extended handle and convenience of batteries make this product desirable for almost anyone, but particularly for the physically challenged and the senior population. The tub scrubber product becomes even more appealing by the detachable heads, which will be circular and in the form of a sponge, brush or chamois. The invention's main objective was to solve three (3) problems. To produce a long handled tub scrubber so one does not have to bend over to clean the bathtub, is battery operated, and to make the circular movement of the sponge, brush or chamois clean a surface without hand or hard scrubbing. The focus is on the bathtub but this product can also be used on a boat, car sink, shower etc. 